Diabetes Recipes
By Marilyn Helton
Welcome to Today's Table, where variety is the staff of life and each issue will be a culinary adventure!
One of the first reactions to a diagnosis of diabetes is, "What can I eat now that I can't eat anything anymore?" Being a passionate cook, those very words crossed my mind in December of 1993 when I received my own diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes.
First, let's erase the myth that all who receive a diagnosis of diabetes have to follow a set nutritional prescription. There is no such thing as a single "diabetic diet" and food plans are as individual as each patient.
Surprised? Based on 10 years of research, new dietary guidelines for people with diabetes were announced by the American Dietetic Association in 1997. Sugar is no longer the "bad guy" for people with diabetes. Dietitians now teach patients how to count carbohydrates, which are found in starches such as bread, cereal, rice, pasta, and beans; and sugars, which are found in milk, fruit, juices, and desserts. The key is in individualizing the meal plan according to each individual’s situation, taking into consideration type of diabetes, overall health, weight and cholesterol levels, lifestyle, exercise habits, family history, and food preferences.
The upside of this new research is a boon to the diabetic cook. With small amounts of sugar and unsturated fats allowed in diabetic recipes, it's now possible to produce desserts with a more tender texture, more structure in puddings and mousses, and the sweetness we expect from a special treat. And don’t forget to pump up the flavor volume of your recipes with fresh herbs and spices. No more cardboard foods for today's diabetic meals!
March is National Nutrition Month and what better topic than this year's theme, Getting A Taste for Nutrition, for introducing you to Today’s Table. Key points of this year’s theme highlight my personal philosophy with regard to food, which encourages you to:
In March, we’ll be celebrating with food on St. Patrick’s Day and Easter Sunday, so I’ve prepared two holiday menus to tempt your culinary curiosity. Now is the perfect time for you to experience just how good food can really taste, despite all the “diet myths” about what you can or cannot eat when you have diabetes.
Remember those haunting words, "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times”? Well, if you’re a lover of good food, this is definitely the best of times for receiving a diagnosis of diabetes.
Until next month, eat well and stay healthy!